"Congratulations to the finalists, I am so glad we all share a common desire to benefit the community of Staten Island," says Duran, striking a typically humble note.

The 30-year radio veteran took the lead early last week and never let up for a second. He ended up with a landslide 56 percent out of nearly 10,000 votes. Still, one commenter griped that it's a "disgrace" because Duran doesn't live on Staten Island.

Well, you would never know it from his loyal support of the Staten Island Zoo, as well as local charitable organizations like Staten Island Children's Campaign, Community Health Action of S.I. and the G.R.A.C.E. Foundation.

On top of that, Duran champions local businesses (come on, this guy's love of the "Chicken Parm" at Dock's Clam Bar in Tottenville is legendary).

"I have been actively participating in Staten Island life for close to 20 years," Duran says. "I have always been drawn to the spirit and pride of Staten Islanders, from some of the tastiest food, to the loveliest parks, and naturally (my favorite) the Staten Island Zoo."

MONDAY, AUG. 11: The nomination phase for the next category — "Best Sushi" — in the 2014 Staten Island Readers' Choice Awards begins Monday, Aug. 11, and runs through Sunday, Aug. 18. Post your candidates in the comments section of the story posted here on the morning of Aug. 18. Your passion matters — we'll select the finalists based on the quantity and quality of those nominations.

MONDAY, AUG. 18: "Best Sushi" finalists are announced. The voting phase then runs from Monday, Aug. 18, through Sunday, Aug. 25, at SILive.com/readerschoice. Help us get the word out to make sure your favorites get their share of the voting love!

MONDAY, AUG. 25: We announce your winner in the "Best Sushi" category at noon Monday, Aug. 25. Later that week, we present the winner with a plaque and window clings. Then the entire process starts all over again with a new category Monday, Sept. 8.

WHAT'S NEXT: After that nominate-vote-win category cycle, we will follow up with a series of additional voting categories celebrating so many aspects of life on S.I.

So dine out. Belly up to a dive bar, cocktail lounge or dance club. Catch some live music and theater. Get a tattoo. Whatever. Just determine the borough's best.

Then nominate and vote for your picks as their respective categories are announced, one by one, on SILive.com.

Feel free to blast social media with calls to vote. Go old school with flyers and distribute them at your fave business. Go door to door. Whatever it takes (within legal and moral reason, of course) to get S.I. some much-deserved recognition is fine with us.

Hey, you have no one to blame but yourself if your personal picks don't own this thing.

EARLY NEXT YEAR: We will publish a compilation of all your categories — and it just might serve as the definitive guide to everything great about Staten Island. Oh, and there will also be a party to honor all of the winners YOU select. More details on that later.

QUESTIONS? Post them in the comments section below or hit me up at bailey@siadvance.com. I'll answer them as soon as possible.